Why Sunscreen is a Must for Beach Season

This summer has been filled with hot, sunny days – aka perfect beach weather! While you’re hanging out in the sun, whether it’s by the water or in the park, it’s super important to remember to wear your sunscreen. Trust us…some of us have learned the hard way!

Of course, being out in the sun has its pros and cons. Vitamin D (known as the “Sunshine Vitamin”) is one of the major pros – protecting against cancer, boosting mood, and improving your immune system are among some of the many benefits of Vitamin D. However, today we’re addressing one of the big cons – skin damage (and potentially cancer) from too much sun exposure. One of the best solutions for combatting the sun’s harsh rays? Sunscreen!

Why using sunscreen is important

Spending too much time in the sun can do real harm. By using sunscreen, you’ll reduce your risk of skin cancer and overall sun damage. This is because sunscreen blocks ultraviolet B rays, helping to protect your skin from dangerous UV exposure. A few of the other benefits of sunscreen are below!

• Decreases risk of skin cancers
• Prevents premature aging caused by the sun
• Helps avoid wrinkles, sagging, and age spots
• Lowers your melanoma risk by 50% (with daily sunscreen application)
• Reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by 40% by wearing sunscreen every day

Best practices for wearing sunscreen

• Find out your skin type: You can take this quiz to discover what your skin type is and what specific steps you should take to stay safe from the sun. This will help you determine what level of protection you need, as well as how to choose sunscreen for certain skin conditions.
• Reapply your sunscreen approximately every 2 hours (especially if you go swimming or are sweating!)
• Understand photosensitivity: talk to your doctor if you have a disorder or are on any medications that make your skin more likely to burn.
• Wear sunscreen every day, even on cloudy ones (These are the sneakiest, most deadly burns)!
• Don’t RELY on sunscreen alone: If you can, try to wear clothing to cover your skin, a hat (the wider the brim, the better), sunglasses, and lip balm with SPF in it.

Our favorite reef-safe sunscreens

Did you know that a lot of sunscreens actually can be harmful to marine life (and to our own health)? For a sunscreen to be reef-safe, it is 100% natural and made from minerals as opposed to chemicals that have been connected to coral reef deterioration.

1. Thinksport Mineral Sunscreen: SPF 50, Vegan, Reef-Safe, Safe for Sports and Active Use, All Natural
2. Raw Love Sunscreen: SPF 35, All Natural, Mineral-Based, Reef-Safe, Water Resistant
3. Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen: SPF 30, 100% Mineral Active, Hypoallergenic, Water Resistant, Reef-Safe
4. Raw Elements Eco Form Sunscreen: SPF 30, Reef-Safe, Certified Natural, Water Resistant, Mineral-Based, Biodegradable in Recyclable Packaging
5. Suntegrity Natural Mineral Sunscreen: SPF 30, Unscented, Reef-Safe, Mineral-Based, Vegan

While you’re out enjoying the sun this summer, make sure to layer up with some sunscreen periodically to protect your skin! But don’t stop there – for more health and wellness tips, check out the healthy living section of the Snap Kitchen blog.